Sveti Vlas Film Fest 2022 – 30.06/01.07/02.07

Megahit “Jurassic World: Dominion” directed by Colin Trevorrow opened the first edition of the film festival “Sveti Vlas Film Fest”. The forum ran from June 30th to July 2nd and offered the hottest action titles of 2022.
The film at the opening made a claim for one of the most spectacular experiences that the big screen offered this summer

The cinema forum was opened by actor Marian Valev, chairman of the Selection Commission and by film critic Deyan Statulov, chairman of the jury.

“Cinema brings us closer, makes us empathize, creates a community. Every such event gives an incentive, especially to artists, to continue creating. Whether it’s action, drama, comedy. The important thing is to feel like a community and empathize together,” said Deyan Statulov.

“Cinema, above all, is love, friendship, mutual support, contact between authors and viewers,” added Marian Valev.

On 01.07, the most awaited continuation of “Top Gun”: Maverick, was broadcast in the Amphitheater Arena in Sveti Vlas. The Top 5 also includes Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Dune, Death Can Wait, Gentleman’s Heist, and others. Among the selection of films, one Bulgarian title stands out – “Yellow Oleander” by director Lachezar Avramov. The premiere of the tape was in April 2022, and the roles of this elegant black comedy are Kitodar Todorov, Marian Valev, Stephanie Ivaylo and others.

A special guest at the award ceremony of the festival was the legendary Hollywood director Martin Campbell. Winner of six BAFTA Awards and regarded as one of the UK’s top directors until the mid-1980s, Campbell directed some of Hollywood’s highest-grossing films. He is behind the camera on such films as Casino Royale and Goldeneye from the James Bond series, the epic romance Beyond with Angelina Jolie and Clive Owen, The Foreigner, Vertical Limit, The Mask of Zorro and etc.

Martin Campbell received the St. Vlas Film Fest Honorary Award for Outstanding Contribution to Genre Action Cinema.

The director was a special guest at the debut edition of the festival and responded enthusiastically to all his fans. In his honor, his iconic film – “Casino Royale” was broadcast on the final night.

The undisputed favorite of the festival was the film “Death Can Wait” from the James Bond series, which was selected by the professional jury as the Best Film. The tape was also appreciated in several other categories – Daniel Craig for the main male role, editing for Tom Cross and Elliott Graham and for the brilliant direction of Cary Fukunaga. The jury chose Elizabeth Olsen as the best actress for her role as Wanda in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and Greig Fraser was judged as the best cinematographer for “Dune”. Fraser won his first Academy Award for his work on the film, the BAFTA Award, as well as the ASC Grand Award from the American Society of Cinematographers.

Among the official guests of the festival was Yariv Lerner, executive director of New Boyana Film Studios. The Danny Lerner Award for Best Screenplay was presented during the ceremony. The check for €50,000 went to Alex Monolidis for the screenplay “Daughter of Ares”. The competition involved young screenwriters who had to submit a script for a short film.